NEW DELHI, India: A scorching heat wave is engulfing northern India, with temperatures rising well above normal and causing significant disruption to daily life while heightening health concerns. The mercury hit a staggering 47.3°C (117°F) in Sri Ganganagar, a desert city located in Rajasthan, this week, as reported by the Indian Meteorological Department.

The national record is 51°C (124°F), set in May 2016 in Phalodi, also in Rajasthan.

This intense heat is more than mere seasonal discomfort; it presents a growing challenge to the country's already strained health infrastructure.

Prolonged exposure to such extreme temperatures can lead to heat strokes, significantly affecting vulnerable groups such as the poor, outdoor laborers, children, and the elderly.

Last year, an extensive heat wave claimed the lives of over 100 individuals and resulted in more than 40,000 suspected cases of heat stroke, according to health ministry statistics.

New Delhi experienced its first heat wave of the season this week, with temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F) in some neighborhoods on June 9. The discomfort was compounded by the heat index, which factors in humidity, resulting in even higher real-feel temperatures.

Autorickshaw driver Pradeep Kumar shared his struggles, noting the toll the blistering heat has taken on his health and household income, as many people are avoiding daytime travel. "This heat makes us very tired. We drink water to keep up, but many times, our health is affected," he lamented.

The weather department has issued warnings for heat waves in northern India for the coming days, affecting Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and the National Capital Region of New Delhi. Some areas may experience light showers starting Thursday, potentially providing some relief.

In India, a heat wave is declared when temperatures rise above 40°C (104°F) in the plains and 30°C (86°F) or higher in hilly regions. Typically, heat waves occur from March to June and occasionally in July, with May being the peak month. However, this season has seen comparatively cooler conditions due to various weather disturbances, as noted by G.P. Sharma, president of private weather forecaster Skymet.

Ryan Rodriguez, a 22-year-old tourist from the U.S., remarked on the extreme temperatures while cooling down with a lemonade in Delhi. "It's pretty hot here. I just came from a trip to the Middle East, so I'm sort of adjusting. But this is much hotter than Virginia. I haven't experienced worse heat than this in India so far," he explained.

In Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, the relentless heat wave has made everyday life challenging, with power grids struggling to keep up with skyrocketing electricity demand.

"There's no electricity for hours in the afternoon, right when the heat is unbearable," said Shabnam Khan, a homemaker in Lucknow, the state's capital. "The fan stops, the cooler doesn't work, and we end up sitting on the floor, drenched in sweat."

Recently, the state recorded its highest-ever electricity demand of 30,161 megawatts, as millions of households and businesses operated cooling systems to combat the heat. Officials predict that demand may exceed 32,000 megawatts in the weeks ahead.

Atul Kumar Singh, a senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Lucknow, emphasized that the fight against this oppressive summer heat is far from over, with the seasonal monsoon rains still weeks away.

"We're experiencing the worst combination of heat and humidity. This is no longer just a matter of discomfort; it has become a public health emergency," Singh stated.